The Droppings of the Mind in Flight

Not everything that falls out of the sky is worthy of enthusiasm and respect. Puns are the droppings of the mind in flight.

Tholomyes in Les Miserables

This line from Victor Hugo got me thinking about puns. It reminded me of a line from Patrick O’ Brien’s The Far Side of the World. “He that would make a pun would pick a pocket.”

Seems this form of humor is either loved or hated. Here are some other quotes about puns:

“Hanging is too good for a man who makes puns; he should be drawn and quoted.”

Fred Allen

“Of puns it has been said that those who most dislike them are those who are least able to utter them.”

Edgar Allan Poe

“Coincidences are spiritual puns. “

Gilbert K. Chesterton

And some puns about puns:

“The pun is mightier than the word.”

“Immanuel doesn’t pun; he Kant.” (attributed to Oscar Wilde)

“A man sent a list of ten puns to a friend, hoping at least one would make him laugh. No pun in ten did.”

What’s your take on puns? Love ’em or hate ’em? Got a favorite?